Return to Transcripts main page
Live From...
Defense Attorneys Withdraw Trial by Judge Motion, Argue for Change of Venue in Sniper Trial
Aired June 30, 2003 - 14:32 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Now can Muhammad find justice in Mannassas? That's the issue weighing on Virginia this hour as accused serial sniper John Allen Muhammad seeks a new location for his first capital murder trial. CNN's Patty Davis is live (sic) at the courthouse now for more information.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PATTY DAVIS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: We were expecting defense attorneys for sniper suspect John Muhammad to ask for a trial by judge, to ask to by pass a jury completely. But defense attorneys withdrew that motion today saying that they want to retool that. They want to retool that into a motion to dismiss and bring that up at a later date.
We did, however, hear an argument by defense attorneys for a change of venue. If, indeed, there is a jury trial, they say they do not want it here in Prince William County. They don't believe that they can find an impartial jury. Now that is because the sniper slayings in October took place all around this area. In fact, Muhammad is being tried for the killing in nearby -- just outside of Manassas at gas station of Dean Myers who was gunned as he was pumping gas.
Now defense attorneys saying if there ever was a case for change of venue, this is it. Prosecutors say that they believe that Muhammad can get a fair trial here in Prince William County and can find an impartial jury.
The judge did rule on Virginia's new anti-terrorism statute saying that he believed that it is constitutional. Defense attorneys had wanted that knocked down saying it's too vague. That is one of the charges against Muhammad that he violated that anti-terrorism statute by interfering with the government and terrorizing the citizens of the state of Virginia.
Now, John Muhammad was in court today sitting impassively in his orange jumpsuit, watching the proceedings, chatting with his lawyers time and time again. But at times it looked like he was perhaps even sleeping, laying his head in his hands like this.
So the big motion we had expected to hear argued today, did not happen. Defense attorneys withdrew that motion to ask for a trial by judge saying they want to retool that, bring it up later. Patty Davis, CNN, Manassas, Virginia.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
for Change of Venue in Sniper Trial>
Aired June 30, 2003 - 14:32 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Now can Muhammad find justice in Mannassas? That's the issue weighing on Virginia this hour as accused serial sniper John Allen Muhammad seeks a new location for his first capital murder trial. CNN's Patty Davis is live (sic) at the courthouse now for more information.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PATTY DAVIS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: We were expecting defense attorneys for sniper suspect John Muhammad to ask for a trial by judge, to ask to by pass a jury completely. But defense attorneys withdrew that motion today saying that they want to retool that. They want to retool that into a motion to dismiss and bring that up at a later date.
We did, however, hear an argument by defense attorneys for a change of venue. If, indeed, there is a jury trial, they say they do not want it here in Prince William County. They don't believe that they can find an impartial jury. Now that is because the sniper slayings in October took place all around this area. In fact, Muhammad is being tried for the killing in nearby -- just outside of Manassas at gas station of Dean Myers who was gunned as he was pumping gas.
Now defense attorneys saying if there ever was a case for change of venue, this is it. Prosecutors say that they believe that Muhammad can get a fair trial here in Prince William County and can find an impartial jury.
The judge did rule on Virginia's new anti-terrorism statute saying that he believed that it is constitutional. Defense attorneys had wanted that knocked down saying it's too vague. That is one of the charges against Muhammad that he violated that anti-terrorism statute by interfering with the government and terrorizing the citizens of the state of Virginia.
Now, John Muhammad was in court today sitting impassively in his orange jumpsuit, watching the proceedings, chatting with his lawyers time and time again. But at times it looked like he was perhaps even sleeping, laying his head in his hands like this.
So the big motion we had expected to hear argued today, did not happen. Defense attorneys withdrew that motion to ask for a trial by judge saying they want to retool that, bring it up later. Patty Davis, CNN, Manassas, Virginia.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
for Change of Venue in Sniper Trial>
